Integrating SCADA in Future-Proof Engineering Education: A Conceptual Evaluation Anchored on CHED's Achieve Agenda

The proposed research conceptually judges the inclusion of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems in engineering education at Tarlac State University College of Engineering (TSU-COE) based on the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) ACHIEVE Agenda (2025-2030) and the TSU Future-Proof Education Plan (2025-2035). The study uses a mixed-methodology design, which combines a qualitative documentary analysis, engineering design review, and two descriptive sur-veys with 19 academic stakeholders and 22 professionals working with electric distribution utilities to ex-amine the operational impact of SCADA on the reliability of the power system, as well as its strategic fit with existing higher education reform models. All the four pillars of the operation promoted by SCADA by utility practitioners included situational awareness and monitoring (composite mean = 4.63), automation and system response (M = 4.46), data analytics and predictive maintenance (M = 4.41), and cybersecurity and system continuity (M = 4.35). Respondents among academic people were confirmed that there was high strategic alignment with the digital transformation priority of the CHED ACHIEVE Agenda (WM = 4.58) and future accreditation preparedness (WM = 4.47). Nevertheless, a high exposure gap was found: 89.5% of faculty reported SCADA as one of the foundations of Industry 4.0, although only 31.6% of them had direct, hands- on experience. Based on these results, the paper offers a three-pillar conceptual model (Inputs-Processes-Outcomes) and a model of gradual development in laboratories to facilitate institutional implementation. The initial estimation of the costs of the implementation of the Bill of Materials shows that a full SCADA Trainer facility would cost around PHP 44.4 million. The results en-dorse the thesis statement that SCADA integration is not just a pedagogical addition but a strategic need to generate digitally adept graduates of engineering at the worldly competitive level in accordance with SDG objectives and national objectives of development.